Method for screening for a therapeutic agent for idiopathic interstitial pneumonia

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a method for detecting idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, which comprises measuring the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in a biological sample. Thereby, a method for detecting idiopathic interstitial pneumonia using a marker is provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional of application Ser. No. 12/995,769, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,420,310, filed on Dec. 2, 2010, which is a National Phase of PCT International Application No, PCT/JP2009/060567 filed on Jun. 3, 2009, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to Application No. 2008-147822 filed in Japan on Jun. 5, 2008. The entire contents of all of the above applications is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method for detecting idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, a method for screening for a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, and a kit used for these methods.

BACKGROUND ART

Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) is a cryptogenic disease characterized by the fibrosis of lung tissues. It is extremely difficult to predict the onset and progression of this disease.

According to histological classification, idiopathic interstitial pneumonia is classified into several types of disease, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) (or also referred to as usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP)) and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP). IPF/UIP patients and NSIP patients account for 80% to 90% of all idiopathic interstitial pneumonia patients. NSIP is further classified into fibrotic NSIP and cellular NSIP. At present, there are no effective methods for a medical treatment of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Idiopathic interstitial pneumonia has a poor prognosis, and the median survival period of this disease is 2 to 4 years after the diagnosis of the disease. On the other hand, the prognosis of NSIP is better than those of IPF/UIP. Among others, the prognosis of cellular NSIP is much better than that of fibrotic NSIP. Thus, since the prognosis of patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia is different depending on the type of the disease, it is important to determine the type of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia in order to predict the prognosis of the patient with this disease.

The diagnosis of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia has been mainly made by radiography, an image diagnosis such as CT, a physiological pulmonary function test, etc. The definitive diagnosis has been made by a histological diagnosis involving the biopsy of lung tissues. However, the diagnostic accuracy of such image diagnosis is not as high as that of the histological diagnosis, and further, the image diagnosis requires high skilled, specialized diagnostic techniques. Furthermore, it is difficult for such image diagnosis to perform a quantitative diagnosis.

Under the aforementioned circumstances, it has been desired to develop a noninvasive diagnosis in addition to such an image diagnosis.

Document 1 describes that allergic disease is examined using the expression level of a periostin gene as an indicator.

Document 2 describes that periostin (osteoblast-specific factor 2) is generated in fibroblasts as a result of response to stimulation with IL-4 or IL-13, and that such periostin may be associated with the pulmonary fibrosis of patients with bronchial asthma.

DOCUMENTS

-   1. WO2002/052006 -   2. G. Takayama et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol, vol. 118, 98-104,     2006

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Under such circumstances, it has been desired to develop a method for detecting idiopathic interstitial pneumonia using a marker, and the like. The present inventors have conducted intensive studies directed towards achieving the aforementioned object. As a result, the inventors have found that the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein is high in biological samples derived from patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, and that idiopathic interstitial pneumonia can be detected using periostin as a marker. Based on these findings, the inventors have completed the present invention.

Specifically, the present invention provides a method for detecting or diagnosing idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, a method for screening for a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, and a kit used for these methods, as described below.

(1) A method for detecting or diagnosing idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, which comprises measuring the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in a biological sample.

(2) The method according to (1) above, wherein the idiopathic interstitial pneumonia is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or nonspecific interstitial pneumonia.

(3) The method according to (2) above, wherein the nonspecific interstitial pneumonia is fibrotic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (fibrotic NSIP).

(4) The method according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the measurement is carried out by an immunoassay.

(5) The method according to any one of (1) to (4) above, wherein the biological sample is lung tissues and/or blood.

(6) The method according to any one of (1) to (5) above, which comprises comparing (i) the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in a biological sample derived from a subject, with (ii) the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in normal cells.

(7) The method according to (6) above, which comprises determining that the subject has or is suspected to have idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, when (i) the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in the biological sample derived from the subject is higher than (ii) the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in the normal cells.

(8) A method for screening for a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, which comprises measuring the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein, in a case in which cells having ability to produce periostin have been cultured in the presence of a candidate substance.

(9) The method according to (8) above, wherein the idiopathic interstitial pneumonia is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or nonspecific interstitial pneumonia.

(10) The method according to (9) above, wherein the nonspecific interstitial pneumonia is fibrotic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (fibrotic NSIP).

(11) The method according to any one of (8) to (10) above, wherein the measurement is carried out by an immunoassay.

(12) The method according to any one of (8) to (11) above, wherein the biological sample is lung tissues and/or blood.

(13) The method according to any one of (8) to (12) above, which comprises comparing (i) the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in a case in which cells having ability to produce periostin have been cultured in the presence of a candidate substance, with (ii) the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in a case in which cells having ability to produce periostin have been cultured in the absence of a candidate substance.

(14) The method according to (13) above, which comprises selecting a candidate substance, when (i) the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in a case in which cells having ability to produce periostin have been cultured in the presence of the candidate substance is lower than (ii) the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in a case in which cells having ability to produce periostin have been cultured in the absence of the candidate substance.

(15) A kit for detecting idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, which comprises a polynucleotide having the nucleotide sequence of a periostin gene, or a polynucleotide with a length of at least 21 nucleotides, which has a nucleotide sequence complementary to a complementary strand thereof.

(16) A kit for detecting idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, which comprises an antibody that recognizes a peptide having the amino acid sequence of a periostin protein.

(16a) The kit according to (15) or (16) above, wherein the idiopathic interstitial pneumonia is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or nonspecific interstitial pneumonia.

(16b) The kit according to (16a) above, wherein the nonspecific interstitial pneumonia is fibrotic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (fibrotic NSIP).

(17) A kit for screening for a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, which comprises cells having ability to produce periostin.

(17a) The kit according to (17) above, wherein the idiopathic interstitial pneumonia is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or nonspecific interstitial pneumonia.

(17b) The kit according to (17a) above, wherein the nonspecific interstitial pneumonia is fibrotic nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (fibrotic NSIP).

According to the present invention, a method for detecting idiopathic interstitial pneumonia using a novel marker, and the like, are provided. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the invention is advantageous in that, for example, the detection results can be used to assist the definitive diagnosis of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.

The patent or application file contains at least one color drawing. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing will be provided by the USPTO upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The patent or application file contains at least one drawing executed in color. Copies of this patent or patent application publication with color drawing(s) will be provided by the Office upon request and payment of the necessary fee.

FIG. 1 includes photographs showing the results obtained by histoimmunostaining of periostin in lung tissues. (a) IPF/UIP, (b) fibrotic NSIP, (c) cellular NSIP, and (d) a healthy control.

FIG. 2 is a graph showing the results obtained by the ELISA measurement of a blood periostin level.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention will be described in detail below.

It is to be noted that all publications cited in the present specification, which include prior art documents and patent documents such as laid-open application publications and patent publications, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The present specification includes the contents as disclosed in the claims, specification and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-147822, which is a priority document of the present application.

1. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for detecting or diagnosing idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, which comprises measuring the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in a biological sample.

The present inventors have conducted intensive studies directed towards obtaining a marker that can be used for the detection of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. As a result, the inventors have found that the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein is high in the lung tissues, blood and the like of patients suffering from idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.

Specifically, the amount of a periostin protein in lung tissues derived from patients suffering from idiopathic interstitial pneumonia was measured by a histological staining method. As a result, the amount of a periostin protein was high in all of 23 IPF/UIP patients and 23 fibrotic NSIP patients (FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b)). The amount of a periostin protein was extremely low in 4 cellular NSIP patients (FIG. 1(c)). On the other hand, the amount of a periostin protein was extremely low in all of the normal lung tissues of 6 persons used as a control group (FIG. 1(d)).

Moreover, the amount of a periostin protein in blood collected from idiopathic interstitial pneumonia patients was measured by an immunoassay. A comparison was made between the results of 13 IPF/UIP patients and the results of 12 normal persons. As a result, it was found that there was a significant difference between the two groups and that the amount of a periostin protein was significantly increased in the blood of the IPF/UIP patients (FIG. 2).

As stated above, the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein becomes high in tissues derived from patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Based on these results, the present inventors have found that periostin is useful as a marker for detecting idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.

Furthermore, the present invention also provides a method for screening for a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, which comprises measuring the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein, in a case in which cells having ability to produce periostin have been cultured in the presence of a candidate substance.

As described above, the expression level of a periostin gene is increased in tissues derived from patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, and the periostin protein level becomes high in tissues derived from the patients. Accordingly, a compound that decreases the expression level of the periostin gene or the amount of the periostin protein when it is administered to the patient, or a salt thereof; namely, a compound that inhibits the aforementioned expression, or a salt thereof (e.g. a peptide, a protein, a synthetic compound, an anti-periostin antibody, or a salt thereof), can be used as a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.

Further, the present invention also provides a kit used for the above-described method for detecting or diagnosing idiopathic interstitial pneumonia or the above-described method for screening for a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.

2. PERIOSTIN

Periostin is an approximately 90 kDa protein, which is also referred to as “osteoblast-specific factor 2” (OSF2os; Horiuchi K, Amizuka N, Takeshita S, Takamatsu H, Katsuura M, Ozawa H, Toyama Y, Bonewald L F, Kudo A.; Identification and characterization of a novel protein, periostin, with restricted expression to periosteum and periodontal ligament and increased expression by transforming growth factor beta. J Bone Miner Res. 1999 July; 14(7): 1239-49.). It has been known that periostin has several transcripts, which can be distinguished from one another in terms of the length on the C-terminal side caused by alternative splicing. Herein, the DNA sequence of a transcript containing all exons of a human periostin gene is shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 (Accession No. D13666). In addition, examples of the DNA sequences of other splicing variants of human periostin are shown in SEQ ID NOS: 3 and 5 (Accession Nos. AY918092 and AY140646, respectively). Moreover, the amino acid sequences of periostins are shown respectively in SEQ ID NOS: 2,4 and 6 which are encoded by the corresponding polynucleotides shown in SEQ ID NOS: 1, 3 and 5.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein, which contains a variant derived from the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 (for example, periostin consisting of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4, or 6), is measured.

3. THE METHOD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION FOR DETECTING OR DIAGNOSING IDIOPATHIC INTERSTITIAL PNEUMONIA

The expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein is increased in tissues derived from a patient with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Thus, periostin in a biological sample derived from a subject can be used as a marker for detecting or diagnosing idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Specifically, the present invention provides a method for detecting idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, which comprises measuring the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in a biological sample. More specifically, (i) the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in a biological sample derived from a subject is compared with (ii) the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in normal cells, for example. That is, the amount of a periostin protein or the level of mRNA encoding periostin is measured, and the obtained values are then compared. Examples of a biological sample that can be used for the measurement of the expression level or the protein amount include lung tissues, blood, sputum, an exhaled breath condensate and a bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, which are derived from a subject, and a bronchial lining fluid collected using a bronchoscope. Preferably, a subject-derived lung tissue or blood is used. Methods for collecting lung tissues, blood, sputum, an exhaled breath condensate and a bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and a method for collecting a bronchial lining fluid using a bronchoscope, are known. Normal cells mean cells derived from a person who is not affected with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, for example. When the biological sample is lung tissue, sputum or like, it is preferable, for example, to prepare a lysate from the biological sample, or to extract mRNA from the biological sample, in order to use it for the measurement of the expression level or the protein amount. Preparation of a lysate and extraction of mRNA can be carried out by known methods, and commercially available kits are used, for example. When the biological sample is a liquid sample such as blood or a bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, it is diluted with a buffer or the like, and it is then preferably used to measure the level of mRNA encoding periostin, for example. The amount of a periostin protein can be measured by, for example, an immunoassay or the like. Preferably, the amount of a periostin protein can be measured by an immunoassay. Examples of such an immunoassay include a radioimmunoassay (RIA), a fluorescent immunoassay (FIA), a luminescent immunoassay, an enzyme immunoassay (e.g. Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) and Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA)), and a Western blot method. Examples of a radioactive substance that can be used for labeling in RIA include ¹²⁵I, ¹³¹I, ¹⁴C, ³H, ³⁵S and ³²P. Examples of a fluorescent substance that can be used for labeling in FIA include fluorescent substances such as Eu (europium), FITC, TMRITC, Cy3, PE and Texas-Red. Examples of a luminescent substance that can be used for labeling in a luminescent immunoassay include luminol, luminol derivatives, luciferin and lucigenin. Examples of an enzyme that can be used for labeling in an enzyme immunoassay include horseradish peroxidase (HRP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and glucose oxidase (GO). Furthermore, a biotin-avidin system can also be used for the binding of an antibody or an antigen with these labeling substances. The measurement of an amount of mRNA can be carried out by a known method, for example, using a polynucleotide having the nucleotide sequence of a periostin gene or a portion thereof. More specifically, for example, the measurement can be carried out using a DNA chip, on which a polynucleotide having the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3 or 5, or a portion thereof, has been immobilized; using Northern hybridization in which a polynucleotide having the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3 or 5, or a portion thereof, is used as a probe; or using a PCR method in which a polynucleotide having the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3 or 5, or a portion thereof, is used as a primer. For example, when the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in the above case (i) is higher than the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in the above case (ii); namely, when the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in the above case (i) is higher than the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in the above case (ii), for example, by approximately 20% or more, approximately 30% or more, approximately 40% or more, approximately 50% or more, approximately 60% or more, approximately 70% or more, approximately 80% or more, approximately 90% or more, approximately 95% or more, or approximately 100% or more, it can be determined that the subject is suspected to have idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. The disease type of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia that can be detected by the above-described method is, for example, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis/usual interstitial pneumonia (IPF/UIP), or nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP). Specifically, it is IPF/UIP or fibrotic NSIP.

Otherwise, the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein may also be measured by immunohistochemistry. More specifically, (i) the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in a biological sample derived from a subject is compared with (ii) the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in normal cells, for example. That is to say, periostin or mRNA encoding such periostin is visualized by immunohistochemistry, and the amounts of periostin proteins or the mRNA levels of both cases are then compared. As a biological sample, lung tissues and the like can be used. Specific examples of immunohistochemistry include an enzyme-labeled antibody method and a fluorescent antibody method. Examples of the enzyme-labeled antibody method include: labeled antibody methods such as a direct method, an indirect method, an avidin-biotinylated peroxidase complex method (ABC method) or a streptavidin biotinylated antibody method (SAB method); and unlabeled antibody methods such as a peroxidase-antiperoxidase method (PAP method). The fluorescent antibody method includes a direct method and an indirect method. Enzymes or fluorescent substances used for labeling are the same as those described above. For example, when the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in the above case (i) is higher than the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in the above case (ii); namely, when the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in the above case (i) is higher than the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in the above case (ii), for example, by approximately 20% or more, approximately 30% or more, approximately 40% or more, approximately 50% or more, approximately 60% or more, approximately 70% or more, approximately 80% or more, approximately 90% or more, approximately 95% or more, or approximately 100% or more, it can be determined that the subject is suspected to have idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. The disease type of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia that can be detected by the above-described method is, for example, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis/usual interstitial pneumonia (IPF/UIP), or nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP). Specifically, it is IPF/UIP or fibrotic NSIP.

Herein, the difference between (i) the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in a biological sample derived from a subject and (ii) the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in normal cells is used as a critical value in the detection or diagnosis of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Such a critical value may be set as follows, for example. First, the expression levels of periostin genes or the amounts of periostin proteins in biological samples derived from two or more patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (for example, IPF/UIP or fibrotic NSIP) are measured, and an average (A) is then obtained. In this operation, the number of target patients is two or more, and it is, for example, 5 or more, 10 or more, 50 or more, or 100 or more. On the other hand, the expression levels of periostin genes or the amounts of periostin proteins in cells derived from two or more normal persons are measured, and an average (B) is then obtained. In this operation, the number of target normal persons is two or more, and it is, for example, 5 or more, 10 or more, 50 or more, or 100 or more. Thereafter, [(A−B)/B]×100(%) is calculated using the obtained averages (A) and (B). The average of the expression levels of periostin genes or the amounts of periostin proteins in the biological samples derived from the patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia is compared with the average of the expression levels of periostin genes or the amounts of periostin proteins in the cells derived from the normal persons, and the percentage by which the former average is higher than the latter average is then determined. The thus determined value is defined as the difference (critical value) between (i) the expression levels of periostin genes or the amounts of periostin proteins in the biological samples derived from the subjects and (ii) the expression levels of periostin genes or the amounts of periostin proteins in the normal cells. That is, when the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in the above case (i) is higher than the difference obtained by comparing it with the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in the above case (ii) (for example, when it is statistically significantly high), it can be determined that the subject has or is suspected to have idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. In the method of the present invention for detecting or diagnosing idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in a biological sample is measured. Thus, it is preferable to integrate measurement values into the averages (A) and (B), so that the number of target patients and the number of normal persons can increase. By increasing the number of cases, the accuracy of detection or diagnosis of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia can be enhanced. Moreover, the obtained average (B) of the expression levels of periostin genes or the amounts of periostin proteins in cells derived from normal persons may also be defined as “(ii) the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in normal cells.”

The aforementioned detection results or diagnostic results of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia can be used, for example, as auxiliary information in making the definitive diagnosis of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. When the definitive diagnosis of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia is made, the aforementioned detection results may be combined with at least one selected from the group consisting of the results of physical findings, serological examination results (for example, serum KL-6, LDH or SC-A levels, etc.), respiratory function test results, the results of chest X-ray image findings, and the results of chest HRCT image findings, so that the definitive diagnosis may be comprehensively made.

4. THE KIT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION FOR DETECTING OR DIAGNOSING IDIOPATHIC INTERSTITIAL PNEUMONIA

The present invention provides a kit that can be used for the above-described method for detecting or diagnosing idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned kit comprises a polynucleotide having the nucleotide sequence of a periostin gene (for example, the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, or 5) or a portion thereof. Preferably, the aforementioned kit comprises a polynucleotide having the nucleotide sequence of a periostin gene, or a polynucleotide with a length of at least 21 nucleotides, which has a nucleotide sequence complementary to a complementary strand thereof. More preferably, the aforementioned kit may comprise the above-described polynucleotide, which is immobilized on a DNA chip.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the aforementioned kit comprises an antibody, which recognizes, and more preferably, specifically recognizes a peptide having the amino acid sequence of a periostin protein (for example, the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, 4 or 6). The aforementioned antibody may be either a monoclonal antibody or a polyclonal antibody. Thus, the type of the antibody is not limited. The antibody can be produced by a method well known in the present technical field.

As a method for producing an antibody, when the antibody to be produced is a polyclonal antibody, for example, an antigen, together with an adjuvant, is administered to a mammal such as a rabbit to carry out immunization for a predetermined period of time, so that an antiserum is obtained. For the measurement of an antibody titer, an ordinary enzyme immunoassay (an ELISA method or an EIA method) and the like can be adopted.

On the other hand, when a monoclonal antibody is produced, immunocompetent cells (splenic cells, etc.) collected from an animal immunized with an antigen are fused with myeloma cells, and the thus fused cells are then screened in a selective medium such as an HAT medium, so that a hybridoma producing an antibody of interest is obtained. This hybridoma is cultured, so that a monoclonal antibody of interest is obtained.

The aforementioned antibody may be labeled with a radioactive substance, a fluorescent substance, an enzyme, and the like. Moreover, the aforementioned kit may comprise a labeled secondary antibody.

The aforementioned kit may comprise a container and a label, as well as the above-described items. The label placed on or included with the container may describe that the kit is used for the detection or diagnosis of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Moreover, the kit may further comprise other items such as instructions for use.

5. THE SCREENING METHOD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The expression of a periostin gene is increased in tissues derived from a patient with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Thus, a compound that decreases the expression level of the periostin gene or the amount of the periostin protein when it is administered to the patient, or a salt thereof; namely, a compound that inhibits the aforementioned expression or a salt thereof can be used as a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. That is to say, the present invention provides a method for screening for a compound that decreases the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein, or a salt thereof, wherein the method comprises measuring the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein, in a case in which cells having ability to produce periostin have been cultured in the presence of a candidate substance. More specifically, (i) a case in which cells having ability to produce periostin have been cultured in the presence of a candidate substance is compared with (ii) a case in which cells having ability to produce periostin have been cultured in the absence of a candidate substance, in terms of the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein, for example. For the comparison, for example, the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein is measured in both cases (i) and (ii), and the result of the case (i) is then compared with the result of the case (ii). Specifically, the amount of a periostin protein or the level of mRNA encoding periostin is measured in both cases (i) and (ii), and the result of the case (i) is then compared with the result of the case (ii). The cells having ability to produce periostin are, for example, cells transformed with a vector containing DNA encoding periostin. Examples of cells to be transformed include CHO cells, HEK293 cells, and 293 cells. The transformed cells may be cultured by a known method. Examples of the above-described candidate substance include a peptide, a protein, a synthetic compound, and a salt thereof. The amount of a periostin protein may be measured by the above-described immunoassay or a protein chip method, for example. The level of mRNA may be measured by a known method, such as a method using a polynucleotide having the nucleotide sequence of a periostin gene or a portion thereof. More specifically, for example, the measurement can be carried out using a DNA chip, on which a polynucleotide having the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3 or 5, or a portion thereof, has been immobilized; using Northern hybridization in which a polynucleotide having the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3 or 5, or a portion thereof, is used as a probe; or using a PCR method in which a polynucleotide having the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3 or 5, or a portion thereof, is used as a primer. After completion of the measurement, for example, a candidate substance, which decreases the expression level of periostin or the amount of a periostin protein in the above case (i) when compared with that in the above case (ii); namely, a candidate substance, which decreases the expression level of periostin or the amount of a periostin protein in the above case (i), for example, by approximately 20% or more, approximately 30% or more, approximately 40% or more, approximately 50% or more, approximately 60% or more, approximately 70% or more, approximately 80% or more, approximately 90% or more, approximately 95% or more, or approximately 100% or more, when compared with that in the above case (ii), can be selected as a compound that inhibits the expression of a periostin gene, or a salt thereof.

6. THE SCREENING KIT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention provides a kit that can be used for the above-described method for screening for a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Specifically, the aforementioned kit comprises cells having ability to produce periostin. The “cells having ability to produce periostin” are as described above in the screening method of the present invention. The aforementioned kit may further comprise a medium used for cell culture, an antibiotic and a serum (a fetal bovine serum, etc.), which are to be added to the medium, and the like.

In addition, the kit may comprise a component used to measure the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein. Examples of such a component include a polynucleotide having the nucleotide sequence of a periostin gene or a portion thereof, and an antibody that recognizes a peptide having the amino acid sequence of a periostin protein. These polynucleotide and antibody are the same as those described above.

The aforementioned kit may comprise a container and a label, as well as the above-described items. The label placed on or included with the container may describe that the kit is used to screen for a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Moreover, the kit may further comprise other items such as instructions for use.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be further specifically described in the following examples. However, these examples are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

EXAMPLES (1) Production of Rabbit Polyclonal Anti-Periostin Antibody

A recombinant protein formed by adding V5 epitope/His tag to periostin (nucleotide sequence: SEQ ID NO: 1, Accession No. D13666; amino acid sequence: SEQ ID NO: 2, Accession No. BAA02837) was expressed in S2 cells as insect cells, and it was then purified.

Specifically, transformants of S2 cells were produced as follows. cDNA encoding the above-described portion of periostin was inserted into a pMT/Bip/V5-HisA plasmid to produce pMT/Bip/V5-HisA-periostin. The pMT/Bip/V5-HisA-periostin and pCoHygro (Invitrogen) used as a plasmid for the expression of a hygromycin resistance gene were co-introduced into S2 cells according to a known method, so that the cells were transformed. Thereafter, transformants were selected using hygromycin, so that stable transformants were obtained.

Subsequently, V5 epitope/His tag-bound periostin was expressed in the transformants of the S2 cells.

The recombinant protein was purified as follows. Cupric sulfate was added to a medium comprising the stable transformants of the S2 cells containing periostin genes, so that the expression of the recombinant protein is induced. Thereby, the recombinant protein was expressed and secreted into a culture supernatant. This culture supernatant was dialyzed against PBS, and it was then mixed with a nickel resin (Ni-NTA Agarose, Qiagen, Hilden, Germany), so that the recombinant protein was allowed to bind to the resin. The resin was washed to remove contaminants, and the recombinant protein was then eluted with an imidazole-containing buffer. The eluted recombinant protein was dialyzed against PBS, and the resultant was used as an immunogen for animals.

Subsequently, such a recombinant protein was mixed with CFA (a complete Freund's adjuvant) (Freund's Adjuvant, Complete, manufactured by Sigma). A rabbit was immunized with the mixture, and serum was then collected from the rabbit.

Specific procedures are as follows. New Zealand White rabbits (female; body weight: 1.5-2 kg; KBT Oriental Co., Ltd., Tosu, Japan) were used.

These rabbits were immunized by injecting a mixture of recombinant periostin used as an immunogen and CFA into several sites in the dorsal subcutis of each rabbit.

Five to seven weeks after the immunization, blood was collected from the ear vein of each immunized rabbit, and serum was then obtained.

Finally, IgG was purified from the serum as follows. That is, to the collected serum, 50 mM sodium acetate (pH 4.0) was added in two times the amount of the serum. Thereafter, the pH of the obtained solution was adjusted to pH 4.0 by the addition of hydrochloric acid. While stirring the serum, caprylic acid was added thereto in an amount of 1/15 of the serum. The obtained mixture was stirred for 30 minutes, and was then centrifuged at 9200 g for 10 minutes. The supernatant was dialyzed against PBS, so that purified IgG was prepared.

(2) Production of Rat Monoclonal Anti-Periostin Antibody

A KLH (keyhole limpet hemocyanin)-bound human periostin peptide (20-50 μg/rat) or an S2 recombinant periostin protein (20-50 μg/rat) was mixed with CFA (a complete Freund's adjuvant) or TiterMax Gold (a chemically synthesized adjuvant), and the thus obtained binding form was used as an immunogen.

Specific procedures are as follows. The Sigma company was asked to produce a KLH-bound human periostin peptide by binding KLH having a maleimide group to a periostin peptide (CPVRKLQANKKVQGSRRRLR; SEQ ID NO: 7) produced by an Fmoc method.

Subsequently, an S2 recombinant periostin protein was produced as follows. First, cupric sulfate was added to a medium comprising the stable transformants of the S2 cells containing periostin genes, so that the expression of the recombinant periostin protein was induced. Thereby, the recombinant periostin protein was expressed and secreted into a culture supernatant. This culture supernatant was dialyzed against PBS, and it was then mixed with a nickel resin (Ni-NTA Agarose, Qiagen, Hilden, Germany), so that the recombinant periostin was allowed to bind to the resin. The resin was washed to remove contaminants, and the S2 recombinant periostin protein was then eluted with an imidazole-containing buffer.

As CFA, there was used Freund's Adjuvant, Complete, manufactured by Sigma. TiterMax Gold was purchased from Funakoshi Co., Ltd. CFA or TiterMax Gold was mixed at a volume ratio of 1:1 with a KLH-bound human periostin peptide solution or an S2 recombinant periostin protein solution.

Subsequently, 20-50 μg of the mixture of the KLH-bound human periostin peptide solution or S2 recombinant periostin protein solution and CFA or TiterMax Gold, which was used as an immunogen, was injected into the subcutis of the foot pad of a female rat. Ten days to two weeks later, 20-50 μg of the mixture of the KLH-bound human periostin peptide solution or S2 recombinant periostin protein solution and CFA or TiterMax Gold, used as an immunogen, was injected again into the subcutis of the foot pad of the female rat. In this experiment, a 6 to 8-week-old female Wistar rat (Charles River Laboratories Japan, Inc., Yokohama, Japan) was used.

Three to four days after the final immunization, cells in the popliteal, inguinal, and iliac lymph nodes of the immunized rat, were mixed with myeloma cells at a mixing ratio of 1:1 to 10:1, and polyethylene glycol was then added to the mixed cells according to an ordinary method, so that cell fusion was carried out. Thereafter, hybridoma colonies were selected.

Specifically, cell fusion was carried out as follows. The mixed lymph node cells and myeloma cells were centrifuged, and a supernatant was then removed. The residue was suspended in 1 ml of polyethylene glycol (PEG1500, Roche, Switzerland) at room temperature over 1 minute, and the suspension was then stirred at 37° C. for 1 minute. 1 ml of a serum-free medium was added to the reaction solution over 1 minute, and 10 ml of a serum-free medium was then added thereto over 1 minute. The cells were washed several times, and they were then dispensed in a 96-well plate, followed by performing culture at 37° C. in the presence of 5% CO₂.

As a method of selecting hybridoma cells, 7 to 14 days after the cell fusion, the peptide or protein used as an antigen was solid-phased, and selection of the hybridoma cells was then carried out in an ELISA system, in which the fused cell culture supernatant was used as a primary antibody. ELISA was specifically carried out as follows. The 1 μg/ml peptide or protein was dispensed in a 96-well plate, and was then solid-phased for several hours. The solid-phased solution was washed, and the fused cell culture supernatant was then added to each well, followed by leaving it at rest at room temperature for 1 hour. Thereafter, the fused cell culture supernatant was washed, and a peroxidase-labeled goat anti-rat IgG antibody (GE Healthcare, Little Chalfont, U.K.) used as a secondary antibody was added thereto, followed by leaving it at rest at room temperature for 1 hour. After the secondary antibody had been washed, an ABTS peroxidase substrate (KPL, Gaithersburg, Md.) was added thereto for color development. Then, the absorbance at 405 nm was measured.

Thereafter, IgG was purified from the selected hybridoma cells as follows. The hybridoma cells were injected into the abdominal cavity of a 6 to 8-week-old female ICR-SCID mouse (CLEA Japan, Inc., Tokyo, Japan). Seven to ten days after the injection, accumulated ascites was collected. To the collected ascites, 50 mM sodium acetate (pH 4.0) was added in two times the amount of the ascites. Thereafter, the pH of the obtained solution was adjusted to pH 4.0 by the addition of hydrochloric acid. While stirring the serum, caprylic acid was added thereto in an amount of 1/15 of the serum. The obtained mixture was stirred for 30 minutes, and was then centrifuged at 9200 g for 10 minutes. The supernatant was dialyzed against PBS, so that purified IgG was obtained.

(3) ELISA Measurement of Blood Periostin Level

A rabbit polyclonal anti-periostin antibody was solid-phased on a plate, and a standard substance or a biological sample (sample) was then added thereto.

Specifically, solid-phase preparation was carried out as follows. A 10 μg/ml unlabeled rabbit polyclonal anti-periostin antibody was dispensed in a 96-well plate, and it was then solid-phased at 4° C. overnight.

An S2 recombinant periostin protein was used as a standard substance, and it was added at a concentration of 0-1000 ng/ml in an amount of 50 μl/well. As samples, blood collected from 13 IPF/UIP patients and blood collected from 12 normal persons were used. Such blood was collected from the peripheral vein, using a vacuum blood collecting tube, without the addition of heparin (plain). The collected blood was dispensed in tubes (1 ml per tube), and was then preserved at −30° C. The frozen blood samples were thawed before measurement, and serum was then recovered from the thawed blood by centrifugation. The serum was diluted by a factor of 10, and it was then added to the plate in an amount of 50 μl/well.

Thereafter, a biotin-labeled rabbit polyclonal anti-periostin antibody (1 μg/ml) used as a primary antibody was also added to the plate in an amount of 50 μl/well, and then, 50 μl/well Eu (europium)-labeled streptavidin or 50 μl/well HRP-labeled streptavidin was further added thereto. Subsequently, fluorescence or color developed was measured using a plate reader (ARVO MX, manufactured by Perkin Elmer). The measurement values of the samples were applied to a standard curve, which had been produced based on the measurement values of the standard substance, followed by calculation, so that the amount of periostin (ng/ml) contained in each sample was obtained.

The results are shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the amount of periostin in the biological sample (IPF) derived from IPF/UIP patients was larger than that in the biological sample (Healthy Control) derived from normal persons (with a significant difference, p<0.001). Moreover, when a comparison was made between the two types of biological samples in terms of mean value, the amount of a periostin protein in the biological sample (IPF/UIP) derived from the IPF/UIP patients was larger than that in the biological sample (Healthy Control) derived from the normal persons by approximately 95% ([(the mean value of IPF periostin amount−the mean value of Healthy Control periostin amount)/the mean value of Healthy Control periostin amount]×100(%)=[(491−252)/252]×100(%)).

(4) Histoimmunostaining of Periostin

Periostin was histoimmunostained according to a histoimmunostaining method, which is generally referred to as an “ABC method.”

Paraffin-embedded lung tissues were used as biological samples. Such paraffin-embedded lung tissues were produced by collecting lung tissues from each of 23 IPF/UIP patients, 23 fibrotic NSIP patients, 4 cellular NSIP patients and 6 normal persons, and then embedding the collected lung tissues in paraffin. The thus produced lung tissues were subjected to treatments such as deparaffinization, inhibition of endogenous peroxidase activity and blocking. Specifically, these operations were carried out as follows. The tissues were treated with methanol+3% H₂O₂ for 15 to 30 minutes, and were then treated with Protein Block Serum-Free (DAKO, Glostrup, Denmark) for 5 to 10 minutes.

The rabbit polyclonal anti-periostin antiserum or rat monoclonal anti-periostin antibody as produced above was used as a primary antibody, and it was added to the tissues in a dilution factor of 1000 or in a concentration of 10 μg/ml. Thereafter, an HRP-labeled antibody (Envision, purchased from DAKO) directed against the primary antibody was added as a secondary antibody, and color was then developed with DAB (diaminobenzidine) (Sigma).

Thereafter, operations such as nuclear staining, dehydration and mounting were carried out. Specifically, these operations were carried out as follows. 100 μl of the primary antibody was placed on the tissues, and it was then left at rest at room temperature for 60 minutes. The primary antibody was then washed. Thereafter, 100 μl of the secondary antibody was placed on the tissues, and it was then left at rest at room temperature for 60 minutes. The secondary antibody was then washed. Subsequently, the tissue slide was immersed in a DAB substrate solution, so that color was developed for 1 to 20 minutes. Thereafter, the resultant was subjected to nuclear staining with hematoxylin, and was then subjected to dehydration and mounting according to known methods.

As a result, it was found that the expression level of a periostin gene was high in all of the 23 IPF/UIP patients and the 23 fibrotic NSIP patients (FIGS. 1(a) and (b)). The expression level of a periostin gene was extremely low in the 4 cellular NSIP patients (FIG. 1(c)). In contrast, the expression level of a periostin gene was extremely low in all of the lung tissues from the 6 normal persons who constituted a control group (FIG. 1(d)).

As described in the above examples, since the expression of a periostin gene is increased in tissues derived from a patient with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, periostin in a biological sample derived from a subject can be used as a marker for detecting or diagnosing idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.

Moreover, since the expression of the periostin gene is increased in tissues derived from a patient with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, a compound that inhibits the expression of the periostin gene or a salt thereof can be used as a preventive and/or therapeutic agent for idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.

[Sequence Listing Free Text]

SEQ ID NO: 7 Synthetic structure 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for screening for a therapeutic agent for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and treating a subject suffering from idiopathic interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, which comprises: measuring the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in cells having ability to produce periostin to determine if a candidate substance is a therapeutic agent for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, in a case in which the cells have been cultured in the presence of a candidate substance, and administering the candidate substance determined to be a therapeutic agent for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis to the subject suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, wherein the candidate substance is an anti-periostin antibody, wherein the periostin gene is selected from the group consisting of polynucleotide sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 1, 3 and 5, and wherein the periostin protein is selected from the group consisting of amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOs: 2, 4 and 6, and wherein the decreased expression level of the periostin gene or amount of the periostin protein is 20% or more which is indicative of the fact that the candidate substance is a therapeutic agent candidate for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the measurement is carried out by an immunoassay.
 3. The method according to claim 1, which comprises comparing (i) the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in a case in which cells having ability to produce periostin have been cultured in the presence of a candidate substance, with (ii) the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in a case in which cells having ability to produce periostin have been cultured in the absence of a candidate substance.
 4. The method according to claim 3, which comprises selecting a candidate substance, when (i) the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in a case in which cells having ability to produce periostin have been cultured in the presence of the candidate substance is lower than (ii) the expression level of a periostin gene or the amount of a periostin protein in a case in which cells having ability to produce periostin have been cultured in the absence of the candidate substance.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the decreased expression level of the periostin gene or the decreased amount of the periostin protein is 40% or more.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the decreased expression level of the periostin gene or the decreased amount of the periostin protein is 60% or more.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the decreased expression level of the periostin gene or the decreased amount of the periostin protein is 80% or more.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the periostin gene is the polynucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, and wherein the periostin protein is the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:2.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said measuring step is performed by adding a biotin-labeled rabbit polyclonal anti-periostin antibody.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said measuring step is performed by adding a monoclonal anti-periostin antibody.
 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said measuring step is performed by adding a mouse monoclonal anti-periostin antibody. 